Apparatus for flashing in corners and margins of photographs during projection printing thereof



Feb. 6, 1962 R. V. WINN, JR APPARATUS FOR FLASHING IN CORNERS PHOTOGRAPHS DURING PROJECTION PRI Filed Jan. 22, 1957 AND MARGINS OF NTING THEREOF I VENTOR. fig y M lV/W/h/A United States Patent 3,019,702 APPARATUS FOR FLASHING IN CORNERS AND MARGINS OF PHOTOGRAPHS DURING PRO- IECTION PRINTING THEREOF Ray V. Winn, Jr., 4831 E. 17th St., Kansas City, Mo. Filed Jan. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 635,375

2 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to the field of photography and more particularly to apparatus for flashing in corners and margins of photographs during projection printing operations involving reproduction of photographs on emulsion type paper from a negative or the like.

As is well known, in the production of finished prints from photographic negatives, a projector is ordinarily employed to expose the sensitive paper with light rays passing through the negative, it being appreciatedthat by utilizing a suitable lens and varying the distance of the lens from the emulsion paper, an enlargement of the negative on the print may be obtained. The process of printing photographs from negatives involves a great deal of'skill and experience and especially in the field of portraiture, it is desirable oftentimes to improve the various lighting effects found on the negative, in the finished print. In other words, it is frequently necessary to make certain areas lighter or darker than those in the negative to obtain'a satisfactory and effective finished portrait. I

Since the negative is exactly'reversed from the finished product, it is understandable that light blocked off by the negative does'not reach the emulsion of the printing paper to cause a chemical reaction, and thus this blocked off area shows white in the finished print. In many negatives the various portions of the scene reproduced that show up in the margin of the portrait are distracting and need to be eliminated and also, it has been found that by producing dark corners and side margins, the overall effect of the portrait may be greatly heightened.

Although flashing in is not new in the art and has been practiced for some time to produce the aforementioned black or dark corners and margins, the heretofore practiced methods of controlled fogging have been time consuming and relatively expensive because of the uncertainties of the method, as well as requiring one highly skilled in the particular process. In order to eliminate distracting areas and add a greater range of tonal scale to the paper by enriching the various blacks, it has been the usual practice to develop the print from the negative by utilization of a standard projection enlarger and then subsequently flash in the corners and margins by subjecting the print to a source of light while holding a piece of cardboard or the like between the source and the emulsion paper. From this it can be seen that it is necessary to expose the paper to the light at least four separate times if it desired to darken the entire border of the portrait'or picture, and it is virtually impossible to obtain uniform darkening of the margin unless the paper is exposed to the maximum amount of light necessary to turn the paper completely black. Many times it is not desired to darken the areas of the print to this degree and, as an answer to thisproblem, the process of spot dodging" has been developed wherein 'a generally circular panel" is positioned between the source of light and the print at a pointwhere only the margins of the paper are exposed to the light. Manifestly, it can be seen that this process requires a great deal of skill because it cannot be readily ascertained exactly where the dodger should be positioned, nor is the light controllable to the extent necessaryto producethe best reproductions. Effective control of'the amount of light to which the printing paper is exposed during the 3,019,702 Patented Feb. 6, 1962 2 flashing in process is difiicult as it is recognized that the relative darkness of the blacks in the print is directly proportional to the amount of light and the time to:

which the print is exposed. The problem of flashing in corners is increased with the use of spot dodging methods because of the fact that a sharp line of demarcation is apparent where the peripheral edge of the dodging panel cuts olf light from the source directed onto the printing paper.

Having the foregoing problems in mind, it is the most important object of this invention to provide apparatus for flashing in photographic paper simultaneously with printing of the same from a negative.

An equally important object is to provide apparatus for flashing in photographic paper simultaneously with printing of the same wherein there is provided alight source and means for selectively controlling the amount of light emanating from the apparatus and directed onto the paper, whereby the area of the paper exposed to the rays of light is darkened in conformity with the amount of light available and the variable time factor. Another important object relates to provision of ap'-' paratus as set forth above wherein there is provided dodging means removably interposable between the source and the paper tobe printed so that the inner peripheral boundary of the field of radiation of the source can be controlled. I

A further important object of this invention is to provide portable flashing in apparatus to" be employed simultaneously with printing of the paper from a negative, wherein there is provided a light source and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the light 'from the source and, in addition thereto, prevent sharplines of demarcation between the flashed in portions of the print; and those protected from the field of radiation emanating from the apparatus.

Another important object of this invention relates to the provision of apparatus as set forth above wherein there is provided a light source disposed in a relatively small housing adapted to fit comfortably and easily in the hand of the operator, so that the field of radiation from the light source may be readily and easily controlled by the operator, by merely moving the relative position of the housing.

Also an important object of this invention is to provide apparatus for flashing photographic paper wherein there is provided means interposable between a. source of light and the paper to be printed which allows the field of radiation of the source to be selectively varied at the will of the operator of the apparatus and thereby control the amount of light emanating fromfthe device, and further to provide apparatus as above mentioned wherein an elongated tubular element is disposable on the apparatus in alignment with the light source to produce a relatively narrow field of radiation of relatively less light intensity, and thereby allow fine and controlled fogging of the print in small areas. Other objects of this invention include apparatus eapable of carrying out the aforementioned aims and also to provide mechanism which allows a plurality of various types of dodgers to be releasably interposed between the source of light and the paper to be printed; the provision of apparatus wherein diffusion glass is placed between the source of light and the paper to be printed so that the rays are directed onto the emulsion paper "in a diifusedrnanner; and apparatus comprising a relatively small, box-like housing enclosing the source of light and having an opening therein through which light printed, the housing'being small enough that it readily fits in the hand of the operator and is movable at will to get the desired flashing in etfect. Otherobjects 3 details of construction will become obvious or explained more clearly hereinafter.

In the drawing:

' FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, side perspective view of apparatus made in accordance with the principles of this invention and showing the manner in which photographic paper being printed by a projection enlarger having a negative therein is being simultaneously flashed in;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, elevational view of one side of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, certain parts being brokenaway and in section for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, elevational view of the instant apparatus showing the opposite side thereof, parts being broken away and in section to show details of construction, and showing the optional elongated tube in its operable position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, front elevational view of the invention and showing one of the dodging panels in phantom; and

FIG. 5 is a rear, elevational View of the apparatus, the back cover having been removed to show interior details.

Portable flashing in apparatus designated broadly by the numeral preferably comprises a box-like housing 12 which includes a U-shaped front component 14 and a U-shaped rear component 16. Components 14 and 16 are releasably held in position to form box-like housing 12 by a plurality of metal screws 18. It can be seen that box 12 is quickly and easily dissassembled by merely removing screws 18 to expose the interior parts thereof.

Mounted on the rear wall 20 of component 16 is a bracket 22 held in position by mounting screw 24 passing through wall 20, and secured to bracket 22 is an electric light socket '26 adapted to receive a suitable source of light 28 such as a 6-watt l20-volt bulb. Connected to socket 26 are suitable electrical conduits 39 which pass through insulator 32 mounted in wall 20.

Also provided in side wall 34 of component 16 is a press-button switch 36 connected to socket 26 by suitable leads such as 38.

From FIG. 3 of the drawings it is apparent that an opening 44 traverses member 49 and wall 42 and is in substantial alignment with the filament of bulb 28. Rotatably mounted on member 4-0 is an irregularly shaped, relatively thin, metal aperture control plate 46. Means for rotatably mounting plate 46 on wall 42 preferably comprises an elongated pin 48 passing through opening 50 in wall 42and member 40. Disposed on the outermost end of pin 48 is a circular control knob 52, there being a washer 54 disposed between wall 42 and knob 52, and pin 48 being threaded at the innermost end thereof for receiving a pair of lock nuts 56 between which the lowermost end of control plate 46 is disposed. From the foregoing it can be seen that upon rotation of knob 52 by the operator of apparatus 10, control plate 46 is shifted within housing 12 and it is preferred to provide a pair of opposed, flat cam surfaces 58 and 60 on plate 46 which are engageablewith walls 62 and 34 respectively of component 16.

' A plurality of apertures are provided in plate 46 and as illustrated in FIG. 5, it is convenient to provide an aperture64 of lesser area than the area of opening 44 and also an aperture 66 of less area than the area of aperture 64. Apertures 64 and 66 are disposed so as to be in concentric alignment with opening 44 when cams 58 and 60 contact their respective walls 62 and 34. Thus, apertures 64 and 66 are independently alignable with opening 44 upon rotation of control knob 52. A rectangular indentation '74 is provided in the innermost face of member 44 for receiving a glass diffusing plate 7 6 in overlying relationship with opening 44.

Disposed on the wall 68 of component 14 is a finger ring 70 held in position by securing means 72.

Secured to the outermost face of wall 42 is an elongated 'dodgingpanel bracket mounting rod 78 held in place by a screw 80 and having a J-shaped integral bend at the seen that panel 84 is in alignment with opening 44 when the former is disposed in clip 82. Panel 84 preferably, although not necessarily, has a series of equally spaced,

trapezoidal or triangular indentations 85 in the outermost.

peripheral edge thereof.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings, optional elongated tube 86 is shown in position in frictional engagement with the innermost surface of the walls of member 40 and wall 42 forming opening 44, and it can be seen that the outermost open end of tube 86 terminates just short of a panel 88 disposed in clip 82. Panel 88 is most usually provided with a small perforation 9t) concentric with the axis of tube 86 when the latter is disposed in opening 44 for reasons to be hereinafter outlined.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus 10 is adapted for flashing in corners of photographic paper 92 held in position by suitable frame mechanism 94 simultaneously with printing of the paper by passing of light through a lens 96 located on the lowermost end of a projection enlarger 98. From this figure it can be seen that the rays of light emanating from bulb 28 and passing through opening 44 define a field of radiation 99 having an outermost boundary 109 and an inner peripheral boundary 102. Such flashing in by apparatus 10 produces dark corners 104 in the manner to be described.

In operation, after the operator of enlarger 93 has started printing of emulsion paper '92 by passing light through the negative in enlarger 98 and lens 96, apparatus 10 is held a suitable distance above the uppermost face of print 92 and light rays are caused to emanate from opening 44 by pressing switch 36 for a suitable length of time. Inasmuch as printing of paper 92 consumes several seconds, there is ample opportunity to flash in or fog the corners 104 and/or the margins of paper 92 because of the fact that when larger aperture 64, is dis posed in alignment with opening 44, the amount of light emanating therefrom is suflicient to flash in the desired areas in approximately one-half the total printing time of the enlarger, whereas when smaller aperture 66 is in independent alignment with the opening 44, the flashing in time is still slightly less than the overall printing period.

As shown in FIG. 1, a panel 84 is disposed in clip 82 so that an inner peripheral boundary 102 of the field of radiation 99 is formed in addition to the outer boundary 100, which is controlled by opening 44. Since rays of light emanating from bulb 28 pass through glass diffusing plate 76 after passage through either aperture 64 or 66, it can be readily recognized that the field of radiation 99 emanating from opening 44 is in a highly diffused state. Because of the diffused condition of the field of radiation 99 it is manifest that the amount of light directed onto print 92 is proportional to the size of apertures 64 and 66, less light being directed onto print '92 when aperture 66 is in independent alignment with opening 44 than when aperture 64 is in alignment with opening 44.

It can now be appreciated that the boundary 1.02 as well as the amount of light emanating from opening 44 are variable at the command of the operator of apparatus 10, the amount of light from bulb 28 being selectively variable by rotation of knob 52 to thereby independently align apertures 64 or 66 in alignment with opening 44 at the election of the operator, and also inner boundary 102 being variable by insertion of other types of panels 84 in clip 82. The shape. of the additional panels 84 may be varied so as to provide elliptical, circular or triangular dodging panels as the situation warrants and the operator of apparatus 10 may quickly and easily replace the panels 84 as needed. By provision of indentations in the outer peripheral edge of panel 84, the boundary 102 of the field of radiation 99 is not circular but tends to be an intermediate zone of penumbra between the area of light 99 and the darkness in the center of the conical field of radiation. In this manner a clear line or demarcation between the darkened corners 194 and the white portions of print 92 is effectively precluded and the dark area 104 tends to merge into the white area of the print.

This diffusion process is further heightened by provisionof glass plate 76 and thus the darkened areas of print 92 are uniform, without blotches or the like.

In many instances, the operator of apparatus 10, in order to obtain the desired results of flashing in, must have a relatively narrow field of radiation emanating from apparatus and therefore, tube 86 is inserted into opening 44. Thus when tube 86 is so disposed, the

outer boundary 100 of the field of radiation 99 is limited,

However, in order to provide an even narrower field of radiation, it is possible to use a dodging panel 88 having a narrow aperture such as 90 therein, so that the field of radiation 99 emanating from apparatus 10 is very narrow and constitutes only a thin beam of light. With this beam of light, the operator of apparatus 10 can literally sketch on print 92 and make fine lines or the like.

Finger ring 70 is provided for use in hanging the apparatus 10 up during periods of non-use and so that better control over apparauts 10 may be obtained during the flashing process and as illustrated in FIG. 1, is adapted so that a forefinger may be inserted into the ring to afford instant control over the mechanism. By the same token, switch 36 is disposed in a position where it may 1 be operated by a thumb and thus instantaneous control over field of radiation 99 is assured;

From the foregoing it can be appreciated that there is now presented apparatus adapted for flashing in photographic prints simultaneously with printing of the same and quickly and easily changeable to meet all exigencies as they occur.

Having thus described the invention What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with an operable projection printer of an apparatus for flashing photographic paper simultaneously with the printing operation, said apparatus including a hollow housing of dimensions adapting the same to be conveniently held in one hand, said housing having a side wall provided with an opening through one face thereof and of smaller dimensions than said face; a light source within the housing and aligned with said opening to permit rays of light to be directed through said opening and onto the paper during said printing thereof and upon actuation of said light source; an opaque, fiat dodging panel of greater dimensions than said opening; bracket means on said housing movably carrying said panel in outwardly spaced relationship from said opening in substantially perpendicular relationship ing selectively restricted upon interposition of the plate member over the opening whereby the amount ofexposure of the paper to the rays may be variably controlled.

2. The combination with an operable projection printer of an apparatus for flashing photographic paper simultaneously with the printing operation, said apparatus including a hollow housing of dimensions adapting the same to be conveniently held in one hand, said housing having a side wall provided with an opening through one face thereof and of smaller dimensions than said face;

a light source within-the housing and aligned with said opening to permit rays of light to be directed through said opening and onto the paper during said printing thereof and upon actuation. of said light source; an elongated tubular member mounted on the housing within the opening and extending longitudinally outwardly with the axis thereof coincidental with the axis of the opening; a fiat, opaque panel of dimensions at least as great as the outer end of the member and having an aperture therein of substantially lesser area than said outer end of the member; and extension means on the housing for releasably holding the panel in proximal, overlying relationship to the outermost end of the member with the aperture in alignment therewith to define a boundary of the field of radiation of the source through the opening and the outermost open end of the member thereby controlling the area of the paper exposed to the rays.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,780 Simjian Nov. 5, 1929 1,795,050 Simjian Mar. 3, 1931 1,808,743 Barkelew June 9, 1931 1,850,219 Walthers Mar. 22, 1932 2,273,360 Kidder Feb. 17, 1942 2,441,489 Jacobs May 11, 1948 2,535,916 Gradisar Dec. 26, 1950 2,654,858 Feller Oct. 6, 1953 2,800,834 Petry et al. July 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 9 825,205 Germany Dec. 17,1951

OTHER REFERENCES Encyclopedia of Photography, page 408, 1949, printed by National Educational Alliance. 

